Department for Transport

Crossrail

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest estimate of the overall cost of the Crossrail project; what is the cost attributed to Network Rail; and what is the latest estimate of its economic benefit.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The latest estimate of the overall cost for completing Crossrail is £18.9 billion. This includes Network Rail on Network Works at a total estimate cost of £3.0 billion. Analysis in the 2010 Business Case stated that the Crossrail programme will add an estimated £42 billion to the UK economy. This is a forecast and will be assessed in planned work to evaluate the impact of Crossrail post opening on 24 May 2022.

Vehicle Number Plates: Fraud

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to counter the practice of vehicle number plate cloning.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The law requires that anyone supplying number plates for road use in the UK must be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). It is a legal requirement for suppliers to carry out checks to ensure that number plates are only sold to those who can prove they are entitled to the registration number. Number plate suppliers must also keep records of the plates they have supplied. The DVLA visits number plate suppliers to monitor compliance with the legal requirements and works closely with the police and trading standards to share intelligence and support investigations and prosecutions of suppliers who do not comply. Anyone who suspects that their number plate has been cloned should report this to the police, who are responsible for on road enforcement. Any fines or correspondence received for offences which have not been committed should be returned to the issuing authorities for investigation. Vehicle keepers can also write to the DVLA, who may issue a new registration number for a vehicle if there is evidence that a number plate has been cloned.

Teesside International Airport

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government, what assessment they have made of the effects on the (1) regional, and (2) national, economyofthe decision of Loganair to cease serving Teesside International Airport.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Whilst the decision by Loganair to withdraw from Teesside Airport is disappointing, it is ultimately a commercial decision by the airline. The Government recognises the importance of regional airports to our aviation sector and to the communities they serve. We continue to support regional airports through various policy measures such as our introduction next year of a 50% cut in Air Passenger Duty on domestic flights.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

UK Endorsement Board: Public Appointments

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government why an advertisement for the appointment of a Chair for the UK Endorsement Board appeared on the Cabinet Office website on 15 December 2021 but was then taken down before the completion of that process.

Lord Callanan: The advert for a campaign to recruit a new Chair to the UK Endorsement Board was published on the Cabinet Office website on 15 December 2021, and remained there until the closing date for applications on 23 January 2022. Campaigns that are not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments are no longer visible to the public on the website after they have closed for applications.

Newport Wafer Fab: Semiconductors

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current status of the bid by aChinese owned company to purchase Newport Wafer Fab; how many UK businesses in the semi-conductor supply chain are owned by companies based outside the UK; and what assessment they have made of (1) the value of Newport Wafer Fab’s intellectual property, and (2)the sensitivity of any defence contracts it holds.

Lord Callanan: On 5 July 2021, Nexperia announced on its website that it had completed a transaction to acquire 100% of Newport Wafer Fab. The Government recognises the importance of semiconductor technology to key UK industries, and the wider digital ecosystem. Supply chains for semiconductors are extremely complex, spanning a large number of countries. The Government is not able to comment on a company’s commercially sensitive information, nor can the Government comment on the detail businesses’ commercial transactions or on national security assessments.

Business: Investment

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage investment in businesses based in the (1) North East, (2) East Midlands, and (3) North West of England.

Lord Callanan: The £1.4bn Global Britain Investment Fund will drive investment in industries where the UK has both natural strengths and geographic spread. This includes in the automotive sector, which has regional clusters in the West Midlands, North West and North East; the life sciences sector, where currently two thirds of manufacturing jobs are already located outside of London and the South East; as well as the offshore wind sector, which is generating new investment in coastal communities in the North East and East of England as well as in Scotland and Wales.

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Assembly: Elections

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce proportional representation into elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Lord Caine: Since 1998, Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly have been elected using the Single Transferable Vote. This system was also used for the Assemblies elected in 1973 and 1982.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Lord Naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish the details of the factors being considered in relation to the possible offering of amnesties as part of a proposed truth and reconciliation commission to deal with alleged crimes during the Northern Ireland troubles.

Lord Caine: On Tuesday 17 May, the Government introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill in the House of Commons. The Bill sets out that individuals who were involved in Troubles-related deaths or serious injuries will only be eligible for immunity on the basis of cooperation with a new information recovery body, named the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Lord Naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government what matters are outstanding preventing the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission in relation to Northern Ireland.

Lord Caine: On Tuesday 17 May, the Government introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill in the House of Commons. This legislation will establish a new information recovery body, named the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. This Body will carry out robust and thorough investigations - supported by full state disclosure - for the primary purpose of information recovery, which can potentially deliver better outcomes for victims and survivors of the Troubles.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Embassies: Diplomatic Service

Lord Wigley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to appoint a nominated person or persons to have responsibility for communicating with the Governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in every UK overseas embassy, if those governments so wish.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: While international relations are a matter reserved to the UK Government (UKG) and Westminster Parliament, the UKG recognises the legitimate interest the devolved Governments have on international activity, especially where this has impact on matters of devolved competence, or in their responsibility to implement aspects of international agreements.Each of the devolved governments has a presence at various locations overseas and often their staff are co-located within UK embassies. FCDO staff in our overseas network already work closely together with officials from each of the devolved governments. The FCDO also has regular engagement with officials from the devolved governments in the UK, including through a recently instituted Director-level forum which held its first meeting in March 2022, with another anticipated in summer 2022. That forum is underpinned by frequent official level engagement across all levels. The FCDO is eager to maintain and develop this engagement further, and identify where closer collaboration and cooperation will continue to bring benefits to every part of the UK, drawing on our extensive diplomatic network overseas.

Palestinians: Food

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken, if any, in response to the statement by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process on 25 April that, without urgent funding support from the international community, the World Food Programme and the UN Relief and Works Agency “will not be able to meet the food needs of the Palestinian population this year, which can have a destabilizing impact across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip”.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is a long-term supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides protection and core services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and across the wider region. The UK is working with UNRWA and other donors to improve UNRWA's financial viability. This includes broadening UNRWA's donor base, encouraging the full disbursement of pledges and encouraging support through multi-year funding. The UK continues to monitor closely the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Malaria: Disease Control

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they used the15th anniversary of World Malaria Day on 25 April to support their aim of highlighting the need for"continued investment and sustained political commitment for global malaria prevention and control" and to ensure that children in particular, especially those in Africa, do not die from preventable disease.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: World Malaria Day provides an opportunity to keep malaria high on the international health agenda. Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers used social media and a response to an oral question in the House of Lords to highlight the need for global collaboration and commitment to tackle malaria.The British Deputy Head of Mission to the United States also raised similar themes at an event in Washington convened by President Kenyatta of Kenya to mark World Malaria Day. We will continue to use upcoming events to maintain political momentum to protect those most vulnerable such as children under 5, who are disproportionately impacted by this disease.

Domestic Advisory Group

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty's Government why neither Which? nor any other specific and independent consumer voice has been included in the membership of the Domestic Advisory Group established under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The membership of the Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) consists of a range of stakeholders and consumer organisations are an important element. They are currently represented through Citizens Advice.The Government welcomes views on the implementation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement through a variety of channels including the regular engagement with departments.

Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to UNESCO and the government of Azerbaijan to allow a UNESCO mission unimpeded access to document Armenian and Azerbaijan heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh as part of a reconciliation measures.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government continues to raise the importance of the protection of all cultural heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh with both the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of Armenia and is deeply concerned by reports that both parties have destroyed cultural heritage. We continue to press both sides to ensure UNESCO is able to undertake its crucial work in support of historical and cultural heritage. At this stage, we have not made direct representations to UNESCO regarding their efforts to secure access to Nagorno-Karabakh.

NATO: Membership

Lord Coaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish a statement setting out their strategy on expanding NATO membership, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has always been a committed supporter of NATO's Open Door Policy, enshrined in Article 10 of the Washington Treaty which founded NATO in 1949. NATO's expansion has been pivotal in spreading democracy, free speech and the rule of law across Europe. Each nation has the right to choose its own security arrangements. Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed European security and it is understandable that faced with this threat, countries may review their security arrangements, including considering applying to join the alliance and to benefit from its collective security guarantees.

Humanitarian Aid

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks by the Executive Director of the World Food Programme that there will be increased demand for global humanitarian assistance as a result of the conflict in Ukraine; and what plans they have to increase the UK's humanitarian assistance over the next 12 months.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Global humanitarian need and acute food insecurity is at an all-time high, driven by covid-19, climate change and conflict - with over 300 million people in need of assistance in 2022 and 43 million people living a step away from famine. Until Russia's invasion Ukraine's exports of food and fertiliser were feeding up to 400 million people worldwide. Russia's war is preventing these exports and causing food, energy and other commodity prices to rise, as well as diverting humanitarian resources from pre-existing crises. This is hitting the world's poorest hardest, and increasing global humanitarian needs.The UK is a major humanitarian donor. We have announced a package to address critical rising food insecurity in the Horn of Africa including £25 million to Somalia, £88 million in Yemen, and pledged £286 million to meet needs in Afghanistan. The UK and our partners secured the largest ever World Bank financial commitment to developing countries affected by Russia's invasion - $170 billion over the next 15 months. The UK has also increased support through the Bank with approximately £730 million in financial guarantees so the Bank can lend more to Ukraine without taking resources from the rest of the world.

Syria: Migrant Camps

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultations they have had, if any, with (1) the UN, and (2) other donor countries, to advocate for humanitarian access to widow camps in North West Syria.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to including widow camps in UN humanitarian programmes.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to include access to widow camps in North West Syria in their Syria Response Plan.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK supports improved access to reach populations in need across Syria. The UK continues to use our position at the UN Security Council to call on all parties to respect agreed ceasefires and we work closely with humanitarian partners, such as the UN and NGOs, to press for improved humanitarian access. The UK has sent a joint letter with six other donors to the UN leadership calling for a more effective response to Gender Based Violence (GBV) across the whole of Syria by ensuring greater prioritisation of critical needs, such as widows camps and more clearly articulated workplans to address them.The UK funds UN and NGO partners to provide food, non-food items, water, education, healthcare, trauma and psychosocial support, safe spaces for children and victims of GBV and other life-saving assistance to those most in need in north west Syria. In 2021, the UK was the second largest donor to the Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund (SCHF), a multi-sector, multi-donor pooled fund that has the flexibility to respond to emergency needs. The SCHF directs support towards the urgent needs of an estimated 2.8 million internally displaced persons in North West Syria, including women and children in widow camps.

Pregnancy: Humanitarian Aid

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will provide humanitarian assistance for (1) general food and water distribution, (2) blanket supplementary feeding for children aged six to 59 months, and (3) blanket supplementary feeding for pregnant and lactating women.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is committed to providing principled humanitarian assistance and supporting those in greatest need around the world, as set out in the Integrated Review. The 2021 Spending Review commits FCDO to spend £3 billion on humanitarian efforts over the next three years.Preventing malnutrition when disasters arise is essential for saving lives and for giving those affected a better chance to become more resilient in the long term. To do this, a basic preventative package needs to be provided and targeted to populations at greatest risk (this includes adolescent girls, women and young children). This package will vary depending on the context but will likely include: (1) treatment for acute malnutrition; (2) other essential health and nutrition services for women and children; (3) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); (4) food assistance with specific provision for young children and pregnant / breastfeeding women. Other services might be needed to address impacts that psychological trauma and displacement can have on nutrition. This includes supporting women to breastfeed as a strategy for preventing mortality and malnutrition.

Yazidis

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to secure the safety of Yezidis in Sinjar following attacks by Turkish military; when they last discussed long-term security of the Yezidi people with (1) the Kurdish regional government, and (2) the government of Iraq; and what response they received.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are following closely the situation in northern Iraq. FCDO Ministers and senior officials regularly reiterate to the need for dialogue and cooperation between Turkey and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to combat terrorism, ensure regional security, and protect civilians. Our diplomatic missions are in regular contact with Turkish and Government of Iraq and Kurdistan regional Government authorities. Our focus is always on securing an end to violence and protecting civilians. The UK continues to champion on the rights of minorities, including Yazidis, in Iraq, including through working with a wide range of actors to ensure full implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law.

Iran: Nuclear Power

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the European Leadership Network open letter to the US and Iranian Leadership on the Iran nuclear deal, dated 26 April; in particular, the warning that the Iran nuclear talks are leading to ‘corrosive stalemate devolving into a cycle of increased nuclear tension; and whether they have reiterated their call to show more flexibility with the governments of (1) Iran, and (2) the USA.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have reached the end of talks in Vienna to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). There is a deal on the table that would return Iran to its JCPoA commitments, and return the US to the deal. Iran is currently preventing conclusion of the deal with demands beyond the JCPoA. We are in regular discussion with the US on the urgent need for a diplomatic solution to end Iran's nuclear escalation.

Ministry of Defence

Ajax Vehicles: Procurement

Lord Coaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent progress they have made on delivering outstanding Ajax armoured vehicles.

Baroness Goldie: I refer the Noble Lord to the written statement (HCWS739) made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin) in the House of Commons on 29 March 2022.Armoured Cavalry Programme: Ajax Update (docx, 20.5KB)

Queen's Guards: Uniforms

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty's Government, given that a suitable replacement for bearskin has been developed that meets all of their "five requirements", what steps they are taking to introduce a faux fur for the ceremonial caps worn by the Queen’s Guard.

Baroness Goldie: I refer the noble Lady to the answer my Hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin) gave to Question 121824 on 21 February 2022 in the House of CommonsQueen's Guards: Uniforms (docx, 19.4KB)

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Councillors: Work Sharing

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatconsideration they have given to allowing job-sharing councillors to enable more people with (1) disabilities, and (2) caring responsibilities, (a) to stand for, and (b) to serve in, the positions.

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatplans they have to ensure that (1) disabled councillors, (2) those shieldingfrom COVID-19 or other illnesses, and (3) those with caring responsibilities, are able (a) to legally participate in council proceedings remotely, and (b) to be recorded as present at the meeting.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Government launched a call for evidence last year to gather views and inform a longer-term decision about whether to make express provision for councils to meet remotely and enable councillors to attend meetings remotely, if necessary, on a permanent basis. The Department has considered the responses to the consultation and the Government will respond shortly.

Local Government: Candidates

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatpercentage of candidates in the May 2022 council elections have a disability; and what plans they have (1) to enable, and (2) to assist, disabled candidates (a) to participate in local elections, and (b) to serve as councillors.

Lord Greenhalgh: It is the Government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office.DLUHC do not hold or collect data centrally on percentages of candidates standing for local election. However, DLUHC has developed a new scheme to support disabled people seeking to become local candidates and to support those who have been elected to local public office. This work is a part of the 2022/23 local government improvement programme, delivered largely by the LGA, launched in April this year.The scheme includes:a coaching programme for disabled councillors to support them as resilient and confident leaders of their communitiesa campaign to attract more people with disabilities to stand for council elections and a new ‘Be a Councillor’ guide for disabled candidates who are considering standing for the 2023 electionsa bespoke leadership development programme for disabled councillors, which provides councillors with unique networking opportunities and support.The full 2022-2023 Sector Support Offer for local councils is available (attached) on the LGA website: https://local.gov.uk/publications/sector-support-offer-2022-232022-2023 Sector Support Offer for local councils  (pdf, 297.2KB)

Local Government: Elections

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the results of the local government elections on 5 May.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Government does not undertake any formal assessment of the delivery or outcome of elections.The Electoral Commission is responsible for formally reporting on the delivery of elections.

Sand

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the United Nations Sand and Sustainability: 10 strategic recommendations to avert a crisis, published on 26 April, what plans they have (1) to promote global action, and (2) to promote protection of that resource; and what assessment they have made of UK (a) supplies, (b) use, and (c) conservation, of sand.

Lord Greenhalgh: Aggregate mineral surveys have been regularly undertaken by the Government since 1973. These provide an in-depth assessment of national and sub-national sales, inter-regional flows, transportation, consumption and permitted reserves of primary aggregates. The survey provides comprehensive data for monitoring and facilitating aggregates provision at a local, regional and national level.The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) recognises that it is essential that there is a sufficient supply of minerals to provide the infrastructure, buildings, energy and goods that the country needs. It is clear that as minerals are a finite natural resource, best use needs to be made of them to secure their long term conservation. This is why mineral planning authorities are required to safeguard mineral resources through their planning policies, by defining Mineral Safeguarding Areas and Mineral Consultation Areas. Furthermore, the NPPF is clear that local planning authorities should not normally permit other development proposals in Mineral Safeguarding Areas if it might constrain potential future use for mineral working.

Cabinet Office

Legislative Drafting

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the outcome of the review of language used in drafting legislation, following the passage of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultationthey have undertakenin advance of the development of proposals regarding the review of language used in drafting legislation, following the passage of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021.

Lord True: Following consideration by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, the Government has today issued a written ministerial statement setting out its approach to the use of gendered language in legislative drafting.

Department for International Trade

Supply Chains

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the potential for a supply chain crisis affecting the UK in the next few months; and what steps they (1) have put in place, or (2) plan to put in place, to mitigate the impact of any such crisis.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: Supply chain resilience is a priority for HM Government. In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise on supply chains and identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. We are working to secure the supply chains of the future already, including for critical minerals, by working with like-minded nations around the world. Although not every aspect of the market can, or should, be controlled, HM Government has taken quick and decisive action to ease pressures where immediate interventions have been required. We have put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the re-animation of the global economy. These include increasing HGV testing capacity, extending cabotage rights, training up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

Trade Agreements: Israel

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made regarding consultations on a new, enhanced UK–Israel trade agreement since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in November 2021.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The United Kingdom is strongly committed to our trade and investment relationship with Israel. A public consultation on an enhanced bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with Israel was formally launched on 1st February 2022. We are now in the process of analysing the responses we received during this consultation and will publish a formal response to this in due course.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Tourism

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions theyhave had with representatives of the tourism industry, including (1) the Tourism Alliance, (2) the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, (3) the London Blue Badge Guides, (4) the Institute of Tourist Guiding, (5) the Association of Professional Tourist Guides, and (6) the British Guild of Tourist Guides, to encourage the return of guided tours to the UK.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: Her Majesty’s Government set out our Tourism Recovery Plan in June 2021. This set out our plans for a growing, dynamic, sustainable and world-leading tourism sector reaching its full potential and driving growth across all parts of the UK.In developing that plan, we engaged with a range of representative groups, in particular through the Tourism Industry Council. We continue to engage with them as we deliver it, as well as with both VisitBritain and VisitEngland which are working with us to support the recovery of tourism across the country, including doing all that we can to ensure the return of guided tours.

Swimming Pools

Lord Lee of Trafford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make targeted hypothecated funds available to keep heated public swimming pools open.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at local authority level, and Her Majesty’s Government continues to encourage local authorities to invest in good swimming facilities.We also recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and Her Majesty’s Government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic, with 1,176 separate pools supported across 701 sites.